WINNO'S WINNERS - TOOWOOMBA, APRIL 7
By Darren Winningham | Friday, April 6, 2018
Well racing is at TOOWOOMBA this weekend!
A unique track where you normally must get going prior to the turn to figure in the finish.
The track is rated “GOOD” and the rail will be in the true position on the course this weekend.
The weather is forecast to be wet on the coastal areas – so hopefully the track up on the hill and far west will escape any rain and we will get to race on a good even surface for the first time in a month in South East Queensland.
This week I must congratulate Jimmy Orman who has recently returned from an injury after a fall at the Sunshine Coast. He has only been back a few weeks, however, last weekend he managed to notch up his 400th career winner at Beaudesert aboard the Kelly Schweida trained Double Superlative.
Well done J.O. – a great effort after just recently turning 21 years of age!
In other WINNO news this week - as you all know Sunday was 1 April – “April Fool’s Day”.
I just would like to publicly apologise to all the people that I duped with my cut, bloody finger that appeared on your feeds last Sunday morning. It was so good to see the large number of my friends who showed sympathy, who called and who sent some wonderful messages to me wishing me a speedy recovery! I would especially like to thank Graham Potter for his caring message and considerate thoughts! As you now all know Dr April Fools was able to patch me up in a couple of hours and I was back up and firing on all cylinders!
I suppose one last jab for this week – we are closing in on the 2018 State of Origin Series. We all know that Brad Fittler has been appointed to the NSW coaching role and he will bring the NSW team to glory. In the mean time Kevin Walters (the QLD coach) cannot handle the pressure of Red Hill and has left the Broncos – maybe he is feeling pressure already and can smell the scent of defeat in the air!
Welcome back to the saddle to Tegan “Tegz” Harrison – returning at Toowoomba in the last race after a recent shoulder injury – welcome back and good luck!
NB: As this form assessment was made prior to raceday, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.
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Race 1
We start the day with a 1100-metre sprint – for the two-year olds.
There has been a lot of money and whispers around for the first starter from the Ben Currie stable Cuddle Me Tight (5) who has been well backed into favourite across Australia since the markets have opened. She will be ridden by Taylor Marshall who has been riding in great form.
I know that Currie has a wonderful success rate at his home track – however, I think the Tony Golan trained Shamurt (2), who debuted with a first up win at Doomben, ticks some boxes for me. She is around the $3.40 mark and I think is good value. I am gambling on her to knock off the heavily backed favourite!
I have put two unraced ones in for the placings – Taveuni (7) who won a trial on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast and The Palms (8) who is trained by Toby Edmonds on the Gold Coast and who won her last trial at the Gold Coast in nice fashion.
Selections: 2-5-8-7
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Race 2
This is a tough race – Class 3 over 2000 metres at Toowoomba.
Hinchinstyle (14) is on a quick back up after winning last weekend at Doomben. She is trained locally by Ben Currie and Emma Ljung stays in the pig skin this week after riding her to victory last weekend. She was well supported in the markets last weekend firming from $21 to $12 so they were confident!
The Chris Waller stables at the Gold Coast have been enduring some consistent success in recent months. They have Great Glen (3) here after having some runs in Sydney. He likes to lead and although drawn wide should race out in front this weekend with Lee Magorrian in the saddle. I think in his last two runs in Sydney he really has not seen out the 2400 metres. Back in grade here and back to 2000 metres he should race well.
The one that may be a rough chance is the Mel Eggleston trained Nordic Show (8) who has won her last two starts on the Gold Coast on wet tracks. She settles back in the field and has a very strong finish and, if the speed is consistent and genuine here, I can see her coming home late our wide with “Sausage” Rolls looking for a win on Toowoomba Cup Day!
Selections: 14-3-8-1
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Race 3
This is a race that is too hard for me.
I have little interest – just putting it out there!
So, I am staying with the winning form here – Hold On (9) trained locally and to be ridden by Kenji Yoshida who does ride his local track well. The Show A Heart mare has won her last four starts and all of them have been solid wins. She is undefeated at her home track – with two wins from two starts. I am keen to have something on her.
Chris Waller has another runner here – Another Dollar (12). He has engaged Jeff Lloyd to ride the Ocean Park filly who was sent out favourite last start at Doomben and raced very greenly and looked like she wasn’t happy with the tempo of the race. It would not surprise me to see Jeff Lloyd push forward this weekend and sit in behind the likely leader Reward For Fashion (1).
Chase The Wind (7) is over the odds for mine. She is around the $21 mark and maybe a good place chance. Her run last start at Doomben was okay. She is back in grade and up in distance that I think will suit her.
The top weight is Reward For Fashion (1) trained by Donald “Ducky” Baker who comes off an all the way win at Doomben last start – she goes up in weight and Skye Bogenhuber stays aboard this weekend. Personally, I thought that on that weekend leaders had a distinct advantage and Skye summed the race up too perfection – maybe this weekend she may be taken on in front or the large weight may stop her.
Selections: 9-12-7-1
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Race 4
I am going for a local trifecta here! As a matter of fact, a Tony Sears quinella with Red Prince (7) and Elsaray (8).
I think they both get in well here. They both have won at the track and over the distance. They both race on the speed and have drawn well.
The other two I like are from the Ben Currie stables. Gully Command (2) will be ridden by Michael Murphy. Currie and Murphy have been in dynamic form in the city over recent weeks – can they claim another victory on Ben’s home track on the feature race day?
His other runner is Givus a Cuddle that seemed to stop like a shot duck last start at Gatton after leading. Maybe this weekend with the claim for Taylor Marshall she may be more competitive in the final 100 metres.
Selections: 7-8-2-10
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Race 5
I am not going to waste any time here with commentary.
Last start at Doomben I saw a wonderful performance of sustained speed and domination with the Kevin Kemp trained Mr Marbellouz (1). Jag Guthmann-Chester has ridden him for a hat trick of wins. His first run up from a spell he was ridden by Kevin Kemp’s stable up and coming apprentice Nick Keal who was on hand last start at Doomben to watch this Love Conquers All gelding win again! I managed to capture “Kempy” and “Kealy” showing the glee of the win with four fingers – for four wins! I cannot see why they will not be holding up five this weekend!
As for the placings – well who cares! It is an open field behind this favourite and I think we may see a special one here in the making.
Rhyme Nor Rhythm (3) from the Lindsay Hatch stables looks well placed resuming from a spell and drawnhandy in barrier 4. This gelding has a great record here at the track with five starts for four wins.
Ben Currie again has a chance with Publishing Power (2). He finished 2.25 lengths behind Mr Marbellouz (1) last start so must be in the placings.
Our Beebee (14) - well, I have an opinion of this Rex Lipp trained mare. Maybe back at home can find a place at a massive price!
Selections: 1-3-5-2 rough chance 14
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Race 6 – 2018 Toowoomba Guineas
Rob Heathcote is going to Toowoomba? I hope he has an up to date GPS and doesn’t get lost on the way up the hill! I think that his two runners are the ones to beat here – Zofonic Dancer (1) and Trommelschlagen (2). They both met last start with Trommelschlagen (2) beating his stable mate. With the set weights and conditions of the race this weekend I am hoping that the result will be reversed and we see Matthew McGillivray boot Zofonic Dancer (1) home for a feature win on the program. If he can get him home, it will be five wins on the Zoffany gelding from seven rides!
However, do not underestimate the stable mate who dramatically improved last start with a gear change and the new kid on the block Sean Cormack giving him an eleven out of ten ride to get the money at $19. This gelding is right in the race as well.
Hang (3) meets the top two well at the weights – again trained by Ben Currie locally and Jim Byrne takes the ride this weekend.
The other Heathcote runner is Foxy Affair who will be ridden by Jimmy Orman this weekend. Now Jimmy did all his apprentice years riding at the Toowoomba track and knows it like the back of his hand. If there was to be an upset in the Guineas it just may be this runner from the Heathcote stables!
Selections: 1-2-3-6
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Race 7 – 2018 Toowoomba Cup
This is one tough and open Toowoomba Cup. There are many chances so take your pick!
Can history repeat itself? In 2016 Ben Currie and Jim Byrne won the Toowoomba Cup with Honey Toast (4). Currie has raced him the last two consecutive weeks and he seems to be thriving on the racing – but can he win the Cup? I know that regular strapper Claire Farrow will be hoping he salutes – she really does love this gelding. I am not sure which gelding she loves more – Honey Toast (4) or her fiancée Mitchell Speers! Honey Toast has been sensationally backed in the early markets from $5 to $2.90.
I think the Steven O’Dea trained Doubt Defying (6) from the Aquis Farm group holds the key to the race. Now if he can run out a solid 2000 metres he should win the 2018 Toowoomba Cup! Jeff Lloyd rode this gelding last start on the Gold Coast to a dominant win over 1800 metres and on that occasion, he was well supported and started favourite. The way he stormed home and rounded them up and raced away ... I am gambling that the extra distance will not hinder his chances.
Now if you follow racing you would not have missed the unlucky run of the weekend on 24 March when Morendi (2) just seemed to balk at taking a run in a blanket finish at Doomben. On that occasion he was beaten by First Crush (10)– after the Chris Munce runner uncustomary took up the running and led the race. I think this weekend he will be ridden quieter and be storming home late like he normally does. Now back to Morendi (2) who if he can win will give Darryl McCabe a feature win as a trainer since only recently taking over the training of the gelding. Good luck Darryl!
I did give a big push a fortnight ago for Rock On Ivy (12) when she resumed from a spell and was ridden by Michael Hellyer. The mare is trained by Donald “Ducky” Baker and to be ridden again this weekend by Michael “Muppy” Hellyer. I had a brief chat with “Ducky” after she resumed over 1600 metres and stormed home late to narrowly get beaten. Now remember he is a man of few words, however, he did say to WINNO …”wait until she gets back to her favourite track at Toowoomba for the Cup”. So this is the race people – she loves the track with seven starts for four wins and a third placing – it is all up to you Muppy – so Muppy, can you ride your first ever Toowoomba Cup winner?
Selections: 6-2-4-12 rough chances 7 and 10
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Race 8 – 2018 Weetwood
Great time-honoured race at Toowoomba over 1200 metres that has attracted an even bunch of sprinters.
Just a word or warning – this race can turn up an odd and rough result for punters – so you may have to skirt wide here!
My tips are done on the basis that the reserves do not get a start in the 2018 field.
I am tipping the Chris Waller trained Zumbelina (10) at around $21 each way. This Stratum mare is a nice type and I believe has always had a little bit of quality about her, but just seems to find a better one on the day or find trouble in the running. Let’s hope that Michael Cahill can navigate a safe and fast way home and get her past the post first!
Maybe he could ride the feature double on the program – what price the double (Morendi & Zumbelina) Con Searle?
The run of Man Of His Word (3) first up at the Gold Coast was awesome! In a blanket finish to the 2018 Goldmarket he seemed to get held up at a vital stage before balancing and storming home along the rail to be beaten by 0.5 lengths by Raido (4). Brad Stewart stays aboard this weekend for the Bruce Hill stables on the Gold Coast – he is great each way chance here.
Hi I’m Back (8) was super first up at Doomben when beaten by Amanaat (13) ... I think over an unsuitable distance and on a day where not many horses made ground on the leaders. However, this Tony Gollan trained Sequalo gelding made up many lengths and finished the race off powerfully to strongly suggest that 1200 metres second up will be right up his alley.
The last runner that rounds out my top four is the Ben Currie trained Amanaat (13). He has managed to lure Bobby El-Issa to Toowoomba to ride this gelding. Now Bobby fancies himself as a jockey – a fisherman – a comic – an expert at live streaming and I did manage to see him model some fashion last year at Grafton over the 2017 Grafton Carnival. I think he may need to expand his repertoire to include being a magician! I am only joking! This Currie runner is undefeated at the track and distance – on the minimum and drawn handy – so Bobbster over to you my friend can you manage to find your way around Toowoomba? Or should I provide you with a GPS? This runner has been going well with 11 starts for 7 wins. It could be a big day for the Ben Currie stables if this one can salute!
Currie has the talented Ruettiger (5) resuming here as well – he races well fresh – trained on the track, however, will be having his first race start on the Toowoomba circuit. Jeff Lloyd has picked up the ride.
If you want to look for some other chances Jumbo Prince (2) trained by Michael Nolan and to be strapped by Nick Hahn loves his home track and will be in the race for a long way! I think we may see Nick giving his special mate “Jumbo” some extra kisses if he can manage to win his hometown 2018 Weetwood this weekend!
Selections: 10-3-8-13 rough chances 2 and 5
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Race 9
Well I am heading home prior to this race – so let’s hope we all have a swag of cash on the back seat as we head back to Brisbane.
The last race is a tough assignment if you are looking to get out in the last race!
I think you can forget the run of Real Ego last start at Doomben on a heavy bog track. He just does not handle any wet tracks – so forgive him – and look out this weekend here in the last race on his home track for Rex Lipp!
Bergerac (3) likes this track as well – two starts for two wins. Again, he raced on a slow track last start and is a duffer in the wet. With Michael Murphy taking 3 kilograms off his back for his claim he gets in well at the weights and will be tough to beat.
Ben Currie will saddle up Apoloboom (1) here in the last looking to claim another victory on the program. He has a good second up record and he has gone with last start jockey Ruby Ride (3 kilogram claim) to partner the gelding again on his home circuit.
If you want a roughie in the last race – Tegan Harrison is aboard the Bruce Hill trained Liberty Island (7) who won a recent trial on the Gold Coast in fine fashion. Do not let this one sneak under your guard at the juicy odds of $21.
Selections: 9-3-1-4 rough chance 7
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Jockey Challenge
Tough open field this weekend – Jeff Lloyd, Jim Byrne, Matthew McGillivray and even Emma Ljung. I think it may be a dead heat – but I will put Jeff Lloyd on top … JUST!
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
3,8.14 / 7,9,12 / 2,7,8 / 1,3 - cost is $54 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,2,3 / 2,4,6,12 / 3,8,10,13 / 1,3,9 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,2 / 2,4,6 / 3,8,10 / 3,9 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
2,4,6,12 / 3,8,10,13 / 1,3,9 -cost is $48 to $1
In the tipping competition between Winno and Josh Fleming ... Josh had a spell last weekend, so I will claim a victory in his absence! That is 3 wins in a row to WINNO.
Be sure to catch up with our latest thoughts on Saturday morning on Facebook!
Good luck and good punting!
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